April 27th 2024.
In the 90s, there was a frontwoman who captured the hearts of many with her mesmerizing voice. Her name was Isobel Campbell and she led the award-winning indie band, Belle and Sebastian. It's been over two decades since then, but surprisingly, Campbell still looks just as youthful as she did back in the heyday of her former group's success.
At the young age of 19, Campbell joined the Scottish indie pop group Belle and Sebastian in 1996. The band was founded by Stuart Murdoch and Stuart David, and at the time, they also consisted of guitarist Stevie Jackson, keyboard player Chris Geddes, and drummer Richard Colburn. With their original six-piece lineup, they went on to record 12 studio albums and enjoy critical acclaim. Although they shied away from widespread promotional activities, their passionate fanbase kept their popularity alive.
In 1999, Belle and Sebastian won the Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act, beating out popular acts such as Steps, Five, and Billie Piper. Their music was also featured in popular indie films like Juno, High Fidelity, and (500) Days of Summer. Their song "The Boy with the Arab Strap" even became the end credits song for the Bafta-nominated TV series Teachers.
However, in 2002, Campbell decided to leave the band to pursue a solo career and a new life in Los Angeles, where she currently resides. But her departure did not dampen her musical prowess. She collaborated with Snow Patrol in 1998, providing vocals for their song "NYC" on their debut album Songs for Polarbears. She also released two solo albums under the stage name The Gentle Waves, as well as an EP of Billie Holiday songs with Scottish jazz musician Bill Wells.
In 2003, Campbell released her first solo album under her own name, Amorino. This was followed by Milkwhite Sheets in 2006 and There Is No Other in 2020, after a long gap due to label troubles. She continued to make music and even moved to America's West Coast with her husband and collaborator, recording engineer Chris Szczech.
During this time, Campbell also formed a professional partnership with the late American singer Mark Lanegan, formerly of Queens of the Stone Age and Screaming Trees. Their 2006 record together, Ballad of the Broken Seas, was shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize and they went on to release two more albums before Lanegan's sudden death in February 2022 at the age of 57.
Despite this loss, Campbell remains passionate about making music. She recently announced her new album, Bow To Love, which is set to be released on May 17. The lead single, "4316," came out in February and has been well-received. In a statement, Campbell shared that the album is about her response to the current state of the world and her own personal experiences within it. She believes that the difficult times we are facing are a necessary part of healing and growth.
Even after all these years, Campbell is still instantly recognizable and continues to captivate audiences with her music. She is a true testament to the timelessness of talent and the enduring power of music. We can't wait to hear her new album and see what she has in store for us next.
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